If recent rains put a proverbial dent in California's drought conditions, what does that say about this week's August-in-April heatwave?
- Some meteorologists are calling the weather pattern creating the withering temperatures an "Omega Block." (San Jose Mercury News)
Demonstrating a hitherto undiscovered flair for classical symbology, the Weather Service declares an Omega Block when a mass of high pressure — this one rising about 20,000 feet above the California coast — arranges itself in the shape of the last letter in the Greek alphabet.
- Meanwhile, a months-long effort to produce a drought-fighting water bond acceptable to two-thirds of the state legislature is producing a lot of heated debate — but not much else. (Sacramento Bee)
- A report out today from the American Lung Association says Los Angeles continues to have the nation's worst smog. On a day temperatures are expected to approach 100 degrees downtown, it's a reminder the drought has been no friend to air quality. (Los Angeles Times)
- Fire officials are worried this week's heatwave could make air quality even worse. High temperatures coupled with strong winds have triggered "red flag" wildfire warnings through Thursday. (San Bernardino Sun)
- How has your community been affected by the drought? Share your story with a photo on Twitter or Instagram. Tag it #mydrought. For more details on our photo project, click here.
